Music Reviews at Es Candela Promotions

Es candela music reviews

Winter Pays For Summer I Glen Phillips

Release date: 3/29/2005 I Album Length Compact Disc
By LizJ 6/7/06

Glen Phillips, formerly of the band "Toad the Wet Sprocket," has ventured off on his own since the breakup and recently released an album entitled "Winter Pays for Summer." The album has a modern folk rock sound that can easily connect to the pop ballads we hear on the radio. With an open and honest reflection of his life experiences he keeps it real by eliminating all the many-heart-sobbing clichés only advancing the sound that he carried in "Toad the Wet Sprocket." Phillips brings truth and new level of maturity as a singer songwriter.

Who does he sound like? If I had to pick bands that best representative of Glenn Phillips style I would say The Cranberries meet Dave Matthews. The music won’t put you to sleep but it will certainly mellow you out and allow you to think about your own life experiences. The album is altogether great; however, my song picks are "Courage," "Thankful" and "Don’t Need Anything." Over all, this album is hot!

Check out Glen Phillips album/s on iTunes or on his website at www.glenphillips.com

The Killers vs. The Bravery

A Clash of Similarities
By Lisa Greenwood

Just about everyday I read something about The Killers slinging mud at The Bravery, or vice versa. While all of this is good for selling records and humorous for people to follow, it's also a matter of the pot calling the kettle black. There are few bands making great music today with their own intuition and skill. These true artists can easily be spotted in a sea of industry-created music based on another band's success, so why can't The Killers see that they are no different?

The feud all began when The Killers front man Brandon Flowers said that the Bravery was "signed because we're a band" and upon seeing them said they were"bullshit". Flowers also questioned the sincerity of a band who are rumoured to have previously been a ska band. But the buck doesn't stop there though my friends, hell no! The Bravery weren't going to let The Killers call them phonies, and get away with it.

Lead singer Sam Edincott's quickly responded by saying, "Our album was done before we'd even heard of The Killers." His reasonable remarks quickly turned childish, after commenting on Killers bassist Mark Stoermer by saying, "He looks like a little Dutch girl with a beard."(And your momma so ugly...)

If I could shed some light on this grade school feud I would like to pose two questions to The Killers. The first being, 'What exactly makes music real?' and second, 'Do they honestly believe that they are making it?' Genuine artists who create sincere music are not interested in what the next band sounds like or where they are on the charts. It seems obvious that record selling numbers have equated to success in the mind of the band, and that they feel they have earned their place in the rock kingdom among the big boys, but longevity is not about following trends.

In the end posers never prosper, although there are some people that know how to fake it better than others. I think it's safe to say that there will always be people who get by on their charming good looks and sense of style, in addition to knowing when to call bull shit on someone before they call it on you. I think if The Killers are serious about their music, they should stop being so concerned about the next guy. As for The Bravery, I don't think they are any better as a band, and certainly no better at dissing anyone, but they did seem bright enough initially to let the music do the talking.

The Story of ZaNKT

One NYC Band's Effort to Find the
Missing Pieces to Their Rock-n-Roll Puzzle

For a musician with their ideal band intact, hearing the words, "Sorry I can't commit anymore, I have a real job, a girlfriend, and a life," can take a toll on all those who remain standing and willing to forge on. New York City local rock hero, Keith Robert and his self produced band ZaNKT have heard these words before, but are firm in believing that for them "its not a matter of not happening, it's just when".

"The road to ruin has it's advantages," is the attitude that guitarist Keith Robert and drummer Ed McConnin had to adopt in order to keep their dreams of becoming a successful band alive, after their lead singer and then bassist unexpectedly left the band in January 2002. They took to the streets to find replacements, waiting outside of venues to pass out flyers, paying for newspaper ads, and searching the web, only to conclude that its tough to find someone who is authentic. With influences from legendary bands such as the mighty Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, and Deep Purple, ZaNKT realized they had big shoes to fill. "We auditioned guys left and right, but no one had style", said Keith. "Everyone says they like the old stuff. We are an old school rock and roll band; we want an old school rock and roll singer!"

ZaNKT are currently in the process of auditioning two singers, but are still in need of a bassist. "The situation now is and will always be tense and stressful until this band is complete with musicians at our caliber, age, and our attitude" said Keith, "but we'll do whatever it takes to get this band to be exactly what we want."

To hear some old school r-n-r ZaNKT style, check out their website at: www.zankt.com

LisaG 2/24/05

Michael Lord

Michael Lord's album "Sway" debuts as a stylish pop album that is as deep as it is beautiful. Its delicate melodies will engulf you.

Michael Lord, a notable new singer/songwriter and talented musician. Lord is a man who has no problem showing us his inner most thoughts or experiences. You are able to feel his pain, relate to his experience through his melodic sounds and poetic lyrics.

Lordís ability to play so many instruments allows him to be the sole creator of his inspirational sounds. Hard to believe that he could play so many variances in instruments but itís true. The overlapping instruments create a unique layered sound effect that draws you in and demands your attention.

Lordís work has recently been featured in TV and film, including "Las Vegas," MTV's "Laguna Beach" and the new 2005 season of ALIAS on ABC.

Lord's single "Smile" is featured on iTunes this week as a free download; I suggest you check it out. Another song worth noting is "Come to me". Bottom line..."Sway" is worth the purchase.

LizJ 2/24/05

Demo, Madness and some tips too

Tips on How to Get the Most Out of Your Music Once its Left Your Hands

I am not a music expert. I wish I was, and someday hope to be, but for now I am only a music expert in training. I am currently working in the promoter’s office of a well known music venue in London. Basically, I am learning the ropes of a new profession that I am not interested in becoming a part of, however learning in itself is always a good thing.

My position, which generally consists of writing for the venue’s website has taken a turn over the past few weeks to include playing A&R. I was told by one of the promoters in a very inspiring (for those who believe in finding merit in everything that they do) speech, that listening to the demos sent in by crappy local bands was very important for the venue. I was told, “You are in a very influential position right now, helping to get new bands noticed.” Thank God I am cynical! I am after all born and raised in New York City, which many people cannot honestly say.

So before fully being explained the task at hand the importance of it was neatly laid out, and now for the catch…I along with 3 other drones had to listen to about 900 demos in which the venue had received going back to February of this year, in 2 weeks time. We were told to be fair, but be critical if necessary, because we were providing valuable information not only to our venue, but to the other venues under our same moniker across the country.

I have come home with a mind numbing headache every day that I have helped play this pivotal role, in addition to not wanting to listen to any music. I have confirmed that most people don’t have a clue about how to get noticed in a sea of hundreds. I am now going to share my knowledge with those of you who have sent demos or will be sending demos to anyone in the near future. Here I go…

#1) Less is more. This applies to all areas when sending a demo, especially your biography. If you are a band with little to no accomplishments thus far, then how you came to be is usually the story that is told. Why include either your whole life story, about how you and your band mates met in school and how you just clicked musically cause you all like Led Zeppelin or Nirvana? This type of info should be 1-2 sentences maximum. Everybody has a similar story, so unless yours is unique keep it to a minimum.

Less is more also applies to photos of your band. If they are really good quality, then include them. If they are pictures from your friend’s camera phone, then let there be some mystique about your band and leave them out. Your crappy photos may end up doing you more harm than good.

You make think that the advice mentioned is superficial, and to a certain degree yes, it absolutely is, but just think when someone gets your demo, and they have like myself, been listening to hundreds of them its easier to spot the crappy ones miles away cause they are clearly seen as trying to hard.

#2.) Poor quality sound recording impresses no one. It is easy for everyone to get their hands on inexpensive recording equipment and record their band, which in a way is both a good and bad thing. Good because there are plenty of affordable places for your band to record their demo, and have it mixed properly. (If you are really on a budget, find a university that offers sound engineering and make friends with someone who needs the practise.) Readily available recording equipment and software is a bad thing because people who don’t know much about it will try to come across like they do, and instead bastardize their work by making it sound unprofessional. There are plenty of untalented people out there who are successful because of sound engineers; it’s not the other way around.

The flip side of all of this is that you are a phenomenal band or solo artist and that a person with great musical taste will easily be able to spot your talent even though your demo sounds like a very poor quality mp3. This I do believe is true, but remember that you and your immediate friends should not be the only people who are telling you you’re amazing.

#3) Its supposed to be about your music. All this talk of sending the right materials along with your demo is important, but ultimately the music should do all the talking. Once you are more established people will intervene and create what your sound is supposed to be like (if you are weak or dying to be rich and famous) but to when you first start off I think the most important rule is to put all of your efforts into creating the music that you have playing in your head, and worry about all of the above last. The song writing process is not to be forgotten, and making music to fit into a “hot” genre is like shooting yourself in the foot, unless you truly love it.

-LG